Kids enjoy their own special beverages, too, accordingto Olson. “;ey like root beer that comes in a bottle,specialty sodas and beverages that go with their pizza,”she says. “;ey like choices.”To keep beverages healthier, Bilbro says that o;eringnonsugary beverages is a huge trend. “We’re seeing newdrinks pop up regularly,” she says. “Seltzer or club sodawith a splash of fruit juice is a natural way to o;er a pop-like drink without the added sugar, and o;ering ‘half-cut’options is also becoming popular, from juices cut withwater to sweet tea cut with unsweetened tea.”

MENU DESIGN

A kids menu comes in handy in more ways than one,
Aquino-Pham points out. Design a menu that serves multiple purposes, and you can create a much happier dining
experience for everyone. “A menu that’s also a coloring
book with crayons helps to distract kids,” she says. “
Coloring books are great for ages two through eight. After age
eight, puzzles, word games and board games are popular.

Educational menus that teach children where pizza comesfrom also give parents something to talk about with kids.”More content is better, Kafka says, as children willusually take an activity book home with them. “Yourcoloring book will sit at home with the family and bea constant reminder of your brand,” she says. But morecontent doesn’t necessarily mean more verbiage. “Show,don’t tell” should be your motto in designing a menuBeyond the Menu

If you’re trying to attract more families to your
pizzeria, don’t just focus on the kids menu,
experts say. Also keep the following in mind:

CONSIDER COST AND CONVENIENCE.
“Kids-eat-free options, even if only one night a week, are a definite
bonus for parents when choosing a restaurant,” says Kristin
Aquino-Pham, CEO and co-founder of Atlanta-based TodFoo.
“Additionally, convenient parking that’s explained on the website,
changing tables in both restrooms, and high chairs all attract
parents to a restaurant.”

FOCUS ON LOCAL STORE MARKETING.
According to Jasmine Kafka, director of marketing
communications and account services at Kidzsmart in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, that could include “kids’ nights, birthday
celebrations, pajama parties, or even bringing in a mascot every
once in a while. Keep your restaurant top of mind for families.”

ENCOURAGE THE KIDS TO PARTICIPATE.

“Get kids engaged with the food and the pizza,” says Sharon Olson,
executive director of Y-Pulse in New York City. “Give them a tour
of the kitchen, let them choose their toppings or build their own
pizza. Kids are very interested in how things are made.”

“If you can create unique
items that hide veggies, such
as calzones that contain
veggies, or noodles made out
of veggies, that’s a great way
to sneak some nutrition into
a kid’s menu.”

—KRISTIN AQUINO-PHAM,TODFOO

Specializing in kid-friendly fun, Captain Black is a
fixture at all five Il Primo Pizza & Wings locations
in Southwest Florida.